Charlie Curnow has come out on high of his 11-goal heavyweight shootout with Jeremy Cameron as Carlton received a thriller by eight factors in opposition to Geelong on the MCG on Thursday evening.
Cameron performed the most effective video games of his stellar profession, racking up 25 disposals, eight marks and 6 objectives, however it wasn’t sufficient to tug his crew over the road.
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Down the opposite finish, Curnow exploited a Geelong backline that was lacking Tom Stewart (knee), Jack Henry (foot), Jake Kolodjashnij (concussion), to complete with 11 touches, 9 marks and 5 majors because the Blues ran out 13.12 (90) to 12.10 (82) winners.
Curnow stamped his authority on the competition within the center two quarters, kicking 4 of six Carlton objectives at one stage, to assist propel his crew 28 factors clear late within the third quarter because the Blues’ midfield acquired proper on high of Geelong’s.
However, the Cats kicked 4 of the final 5 objectives, together with three to Cameron, the second of which got here courtesy of an ill-directed Mitch McGovern kick-in that went straight to the Geelong sharpshooter, to trim the deficit to eight factors late within the ultimate quarter.
Geelong managed to use monumental strain to Carlton who got here to a standstill after dominating a lot of the match.
The Cats had their probabilities to grab the victory, too. When they had been down by eight factors with 2:20 to go, Tanner Bruhn received a contested ball in opposition to Adam Cerra, span out of site visitors magnificently and had the possibility to identify up Tyson Stengle, however kicked it out on the total.
And with 40 seconds remaining, and Geelong nonetheless down by eight, Jack Bowes kicked it to Cameron at centre-half ahead, nevertheless Lewis Young strongly outmarked him, sealing the outcome. Harry McKay was additionally huge late, taking three contested marks.
After being denied victory of their earlier three video games by objectives kicked by the opposition within the final 11, 102 and 17 seconds respectively, the Blues breathed an enormous sigh of aid once they lastly noticed themselves with a much bigger rating on the ultimate siren, ending a five-game winless run.
In the top, the Blues completed properly on high in disposals (382-328) and contested possessions (136-120).
Adam Saad (29 disposals) was additionally big for the Blues as he did an excellent defensive job on the damaging Tyson Stengle, Jacob Weitering stored Tom Hawkins quiet, whereas Patrick Cripps (27 touches), Blake Acres (26) and Matthew Kennedy (26) had been additionally influential.
Worryingly for the Cats, virtually like what occurred of their season opener in opposition to Collingwood, for giant components of the center two quarters, Carlton’s leg pace and strain overwhelmed them they usually had been made to look drained and gradual earlier than their final-quarter resurgence.
And Hawkins might discover himself in MRO bother after whacking Weitering in a marking contest within the first quarter, momentarily dazing the Carlton defender and forcing him from the sector with a bloodied nostril. Weitering resumed his spot shortly after.
HOLLANDS STAND TALL
In the ultimate quarter with the Cats down by 16 factors, Cameron charged out and tried to take a chest mark 25m out from objective, however Carlton teenager Ollie Hollands in his second sport put his physique on the road, went within the gap and spoiled Cameron.
MCGOVERN MAKES AMENDS
After gifting Cameron his fifth objective, McGovern went some approach to making amends 5 minutes later when he ran down Cameron on the high of the goalsquare and prevented a sure objective because the Blue’s strain act ensured the Geelong ahead missed to the best
BOWES BLOWS IT
New Geelong recruit Bowes had the possibility to trim the margin to 9 factors with six minutes left, however his set shot from 30m out barely snuck in for a behind, letting the Blues off the hook.
DURDIN DAZZLER
The Blues knew it was their evening halfway via the third quarter when small ahead Corey Durdin’s checkside punt from 35m out on the boundary line, whereas being tackled by Patrick Dangerfield, miraculously floated via the massive sticks to place his crew 28 factors to the great.
Source: www.news.com.au
